Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

William Rees Rush

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Arlington National Cemetery
3-3977

BORN:September 19, 1857 at Philadelphia, PA

Entered Service in the US
Navy from Pennsylvania

Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 21 - 22, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico

DIED:August
02, 1940 at the age of 82

In an effort
to force out General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized the
presidency of Mexico in a bloody coup d' etat, President Woodrow
Wilson sent three Navy vessels to Vera Cruz under the command of
Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. On the morning of April 21
nearly 1,500 American combat troops were put ashore, and that
night another 1,500 reinforcements landed. By noon on April 22nd
the American forces had taken control of the city. In the two
day action Fletcher lost 17 men killed, 63 wounded. The Mexicans
had nearly 800 dead or wounded. Captain William Rush was in
command of the Naval Brigade through two days of fighting, and
was almost continually under fire after making the initial
landing. "His duties required him to be at points of great
danger in directing his officers and men, and he exhibited
conspicuous courage, coolness and skill in his conduct of the
fighting. Upon his courage and skill depended in great measure
success or failure. His responsibilities were great, and he met
them in a manner worthy of commendation."